Neighborhoods in Madrid and Barcelona?

Old May 5th, 2013, 06:26 AM
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Neighborhoods in Madrid and Barcelona?

I'm traveling to Spain with my parents in June. Last summer we went to Italy and had a lot of luck finding/renting apartments for a few nights in each city; I'm hoping to find the same thing this summer for Spain (and it's my job to figure out accommodations). Does anyone have any recommendations for fun (but not too loud/crazy), accessible/close to many attractions neighborhoods in Madrid and Barcelona?

We'll be in Madrid for 3 nights and Barcelona for 4 nights. I'm 30 and my parents are 68 and 59 (but very active/fit/etc).

If, by chance, anyone has stayed in a great apt and has a link (trip advisor/airbnb/vrbo, etc.) I'd, of course, appreciate that tip!
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Old May 5th, 2013, 06:57 AM
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I haven't done my upcoming trip to Barcelona yet, but I've chosen to stay in the Eixample neighbourhood. Close to everything, but a bit outside of the tourist zone. When I did my research, I found many apartments for rent, although I chose a hotel since we're we're breaking our trip up and will only be there for 2 then 3 nights.
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Old May 5th, 2013, 06:58 AM
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We liked Eixample, it was central, clean and quiet.
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Old May 5th, 2013, 08:35 AM
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There is a left and right Eixample, making in the largest barrio in Barcelona.
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...ios-guide.html

Madrid has 21 districts or barrios; Arganzuela, Barajas, Carabanchel, Centro, Chamartín, Chamberí, Ciudad Lineal, Fuencarral-El Pardo, Hortaleza, Latina, Moncloa-Aravaca, Moratalaz, Puente de Vallecas, Retiro, Barrio de Salamanca, San Blas, Tetuán, Usera, Vicálvaro, Villa de Vallecas & Villaverde. You'll probably be most interested in staying in the Latina or Chamberi districts. Very few apartments will be available for such a short stay, but you can check the following to see what's available in both Barcelona and Madrid:
www.spain-select.com
www.aspasios.com
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Old May 8th, 2013, 05:18 AM
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Our hotel (Europark) is in the right of Eixample (Dreta or Derecho.)
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Old May 8th, 2013, 07:56 AM
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The Hotel Europark is located at Carrer d'Aragó, 323.
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Old May 8th, 2013, 08:18 AM
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For Madrid, you should have a look at the Barrio de las Letras/Litterature district (Huertas) around vibrant Plaza Santa Ana. You are then 200 meters from both majestic Plaza Mayor and the heart of Madrid Puerta del Sol. Some few minutes walking to all the major museums.

Plenty of cafés, tapas bars, restaurants and local shops here. Two of Madrid's best jazz cafés (Café Central and Populart) and four of the city's best flamenco tablaos are on your doorstep (Casa Patas, Cardamomo, Villa Rosa and Carboneras). Just five mins walk to one of the best tapas bar/restaurant areas in town, in and around Calle Cava Baja.

About the area:
http://www.barrioletras.com/
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html
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Old Jun 15th, 2013, 04:04 PM
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bookmarking
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Old Jun 17th, 2013, 04:01 AM
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I'm late to the party here,but thanks to Robert2533 for suggestions on a hotel. We just booked there and are appreciative as it is hard to find a reasonably priced one in a reasonably close area.

While there is a discussion on the flamenco tablaos and jazz lounges, I need to ask a question that is very important to me as I have a serious health condition. Is there a lot of smoking in the lounges and other public places there? I sometimes have to omit something that I'd love to do as my condition is stable right now and I had been advised by my doctor to minimize my exposure. Thanks for your help.
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Old Jun 17th, 2013, 05:08 AM
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1Caroline

No smoking allowed in neither flamenco tablaos or jazz cafés or in any restaurant, bar or public place in Spain.
"The laws that prevent smoking inside public places were introduced by José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's socialist government early in 2011. Only Bhutan and a few US states were deemed to have stricter anti-tobacco legislation at the time." http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013...in-smoking-law
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Old Jun 17th, 2013, 12:29 PM
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Thank you, kimhe. You've made my day. I appreciate your response.
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